It is easy to see that driving at high speeds because I am angry about something may impact my relationship with another human being. It is more difficult to view my day to day activities with the realization that it impacts my relationship with God. What I do may hurt him, but I do not see God’s sorrow, or anger. Yet, my deeds directly impact how God views me.
Judah well demonstrates the point. “The kingdom of Judah was in a state of spiritual decline. Religious superficiality and rampant immorality saturated the countryside. The nation had ceased to trust in Jehovah and was inclined to form protective alliances with certain pagan powers” (Wayne Jackson The Prophets 2). Isaiah wrote to those straying people. He declared, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
The letter of 1 John demonstrates that those who walk in the light and are pleasing to him. Those in darkness do not get to have any partnership with the Father in heaven (1 John 1:7-9). Those who want to have God’s approval must handle his word in the right way (2 Timothy 2:15). Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Truth is found in God’s word (John 17:17). Paul emphasized the same to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
Those who want God to work everything in their lives out for their ultimate good must love God (Romans 8:28). Jesus explained how love for God is manifested in keeping his commandments (John 14:15).
These clear teachings of scripture should make us all take a longer look at the things we are planning to do. Those wanting the Lord to bid us enter the eternal kingdom need to provide for the needs of others (Matthew 25:34-36), which will please God.
Gary C. Hampton